Artaza

Artaza is one of the districts that make up the municipality of Améscoa Baja, along with Baríndano, Baquedano, Ecala, Gollano, San Martín de Améscoa, Urra, and Zudaire. All of these villages are located in the wide natural corridor that stretches between the Sierra de Urbasa and the Sierra de Lóquiz. This makes Artaza a strategic destination for those seeking nature and tranquility. The lush holm oak forests near the town center are perfect for easy walks, while the foothills of the mountain range offer longer trails for hiking, scenic views, and geological exploration.

The town center is situated on a slightly elevated site, dominated by the Church of the Nativity of Saint Mary. Beyond the church, Artaza’s heritage is also evident in its traditional domestic architecture: homes built of rubble masonry and rough-hewn stone, linteled or arched doorways, and occasional examples of coats of arms that attest to the historical presence of houses of some significance. The town’s layout itself—adapted to the topography and linked to the valley’s historic trails—forms part of this cultural heritage that connects the town to the broader region of Lower Améscoa and to the natural corridor between Urbasa and Lóquiz.

The local economy has traditionally been tied to agriculture and livestock farming, activities favored by the combination of pastures, woodlands, and farmland that characterize Lower Améscoa.

Artaza’s patron saint festivities are held in late July or early August and serve as the main gathering for the municipality. During these days, religious ceremonies are combined with community events organized by local residents, such as communal meals and music. The festival calendar is rounded out by the Améscoas Valley Festival, which takes place in late June or early July and brings together the surrounding villages for a day dedicated to shared traditions, a craft fair, an exhibition of traditional farming tools, a photography exhibition, a community meal, regional music, children’s games, and rural sports competitions between municipalities.